Santa Barbara - Investigators with the Economic and Employment Enforcement Coalition (EEEC) recently targeted businesses
in the car wash industry that were operating illegally. The businesses visited were in Santa Barbara.

EEEC is a multi-agency task force designed to root out California’s underground economy. In last week’s enforcement
sweep of car washes, the EEEC targeted businesses that avoid labor, tax and licensing laws, safety and health regulations
and carry no workers' compensation insurance for their employees.

"As of July 2006, all companies in California who detail or wash cars were required to be registered with the state,"
said EEEC Executive Director David Dorame. “WE have found that companies who are not in compliance with this requirement
are often out of compliance with other California labor laws, as well."

The results of the sweep are as follows:

Number of inspections

5

Number of citations issued

4

Total citation amount

$41,500

Citations issued for

not taking required payroll deductions
and not having the required car wash registration.

Launched in July'05 with the full support of
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the EEEC was formed with a dual mission: To enforce
California labor laws; and to educate business owners and workers on those laws
and regulations. On the enforcement side, the EEEC aims to root out businesses
participating in the underground economy, which cost the state and legitimate
businesses millions each year, in many cases passing the cost on to the consumer.
In addition, EEEC helps educate business owners on California's employment laws
and their responsibilities, and educates employees on their rights as workers.

EEEC
is a collaboration of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency's Department
of Industrial Relations (Division of Occupational Safety and Health; Division
of Labor Standards Enforcement) and the Employment Development Department. The
U.S. Department of Labor participates in the EEEC, as well as the Contractors
State License Board when targeting the construction industry.

The EEEC
conducts enforcement sweeps in various industries, including garment, agriculture,
construction, horse race track, car wash, janitorial and restaurant, which have
been identified as having a high degree of workplace violations and lack of regulatory
compliance. EEEC also holds workshops throughout the state to educate employers
and workers on labor and wage issues. For more information on the EEEC, please
visit our website at www.dir.ca.gov.